who killed videogames? (a ghost story)

[Triple Zero]

http://insertcredit.com/2011/09/22/who-killed-videogames-a-ghost-story/

About the psychology and mathematics of hooking people on FarmVille.

[Mesozoic Mister Nigel]

That was a fascinating article!

I am now glad that I hate all of those social games and find them too boring to even contemplate.

[Jasper]

I might never feel comfortable playing a new big label video game again.

[Telarus]

Brilliant piece. Thanks Trip!

[Disco Pickle]

I have to wonder if this isn't the natural progression now that arcades are dead. (They are here, anyway.  Not sure about the rest of the world.  I've seen them in Mexico City within the last 2 years but hell, it's Mexico.  It's a peso a play and they're likely pirated roms)

Not that this is a good thing.  It reminds me more of carnivals and rigged games, designed to separate you from your money and leave you walking away $20 lighter and holding a giant, pink, stuffed teddy bear so everyone can see just how gullible you were.

Sharing the hell out of this.

[Rumckle]

I have to wonder if this isn't the natural progression now that arcades are dead. (They are here, anyway.  Not sure about the rest of the world.  I've seen them in Mexico City within the last 2 years but hell, it's Mexico.  It's a peso a play and they're likely pirated roms)

Not that this is a good thing.  It reminds me more of carnivals and rigged games, designed to separate you from your money and leave you walking away $20 lighter and holding a giant, pink, stuffed teddy bear so everyone can see just how gullible you were.

Sharing the hell out of this.

You can find arcades at some places around here (my city's arcade closed down about a year ago), however I think it may be partly due to them all having laser tag attached, ie something that is hard to replicate with a home system (also airhockey!!)

[PopeTom]

For the New England spags:

http://www.funspotnh.com/

[Mesozoic Mister Nigel]

I have to wonder if this isn't the natural progression now that arcades are dead. (They are here, anyway.  Not sure about the rest of the world.  I've seen them in Mexico City within the last 2 years but hell, it's Mexico.  It's a peso a play and they're likely pirated roms)

Not that this is a good thing.  It reminds me more of carnivals and rigged games, designed to separate you from your money and leave you walking away $20 lighter and holding a giant, pink, stuffed teddy bear so everyone can see just how gullible you were.

Sharing the hell out of this.

We have three arcades here, probably because of all the 25-year-old hipsters who vaguely remember arcades from childhood.

[Elder Iptuous]

We have arcades here, but they found a new niche in being an arcade/bar/restaurant.  it works well and they get plenty of business.

the local mall also has an arcade in it still, but the games are ancient and there is NEVER anyone in it.  i assume it is a front.

regarding OP, interesting article...  it really lays it out.

[Mesozoic Mister Nigel]

Oooh that reminds me that the Chinese shopping mall has an arcade too.